Drivers support Max Verstappen after swearing punishment by FIA

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen has been shown support by other drivers after he was punished by the FIA for swearing during Thursday’s press conference. 

Feature image credit: Red Bull Content Pool

The triple world champion was in a bit of hot water with the FIA following a chosen word during Thursday’s media day where some drivers attended the press conference, ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.

He was later given community service for saying his car was “f***ked” during qualifying at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, last weekend, which breached the International Sporting Code. 

However, fast-forward to Saturday, the defending world champion was obliged to attend the post-qualifying press conference as one of the three top drivers – having qualified second. 

Despite giving answers to James Hinchcliffe – the interviewer after qualifying – in parc ferme, when the top three went into the press conference Verstappen gave very short answers effectively in protest to the FIA’s punishment.

A short exchange between Tom Clarkson (TC) and Max Verstappen (MV)

TC: What did you change overnight? Because it seems there’s been a big difference in performance lately.
MV: A lot.
TC: Can you elaborate in terms of what you did?
MV: No, I might get fined or get an extra day [community service], so…
TC: Well, are you confident, Max, with the race pace?
MV: Maybe.

TC: I mean, how much of a step into the unknown is the race given the problems you had yesterday in practice?
MV: It’s an unknown. Yeah.
TC: Tell us about lining up… 
MV: This is not towards you, don’t worry. I don’t want to upset you.
TC: We’re fine. But can you just tell us about lining up alongside Lando then tomorrow in terms of the championship battle and your tactics in the race?
MV: I will find out tomorrow.

The Red Bull driver later conducted his very own press conference with the F1 press, outside the usual facility which has circulated social media like wildfire.

However, drivers seemed to be in unison against the punishment – standing beside the triple world champion.

In the post-qualifying press conference championship rival and McLaren driver, Lando Norris stated that he didn’t ‘agree with any of it.’ Whilst former F1 title rival, and departing Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton called the punishment a ‘joke’ and hoped Verstappen ‘doesn’t do it.’

Additionally, former teammate, Daniel Ricciardo was seen in the TV Pen after being knocked out of qualifying in Q1, potentially for the last time – if rumours are true this will be his final F1 weekend.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1‘s Craig Slater, Ricciardo mocked the FIA penalty when he was asked if it was easy to block out the news of his potential future, he said: 

“I’ll get a day of community service if I swear, so let’s leave it there.”

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Norris pips Verstappen to Singapore GP pole as Sainz crashes
• Sainz crashes out of Singapore GP qualifying
• Leclerc pips Norris with fastest FP1 time at F1 Singapore GP
• McLaren F1 reveal ‘Legend Reborn’ livery for Singapore GP
• VCARB reveal ‘fashion-inspired’ livery for Singapore GP
• Mercedes F1 reveal striking livery for Singapore GP
• Andrea Stella praises McLaren’s hard work after taking F1 championship lead

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.